A few questions about PIP assessment, please help

Ninjahedgehog wrote: I just phoned ATOS up asking if they would approve taxis (and reimburse for them) to and from my appointment. I seem to have ended up with being given a new appointment at a place much closer to me. The plus to this is that they have approved taxis and the journey will be much shorter.

I asked whether this place had stairs, and the person on the phone said he didn't believe so. However, having looked it up on Google I've realised I know that building. It might not have stairs (I can't recall correctly) but it is full of long corridors. I don't know which part of the building the PIP assessments take place in, but if I have to walk through lots of long corridors then this is a) going to be very difficult for me, and b) not going to look good for my claim, I would think?

I also suspect this building will offer more opportunity for me to be watched as I enter/leave the building. The previous appointment site was a small, street-facing shop, so not much chance of their surveilling me. (Which I just plain don't think is right!)

Also, this one is likely to be an NHS centre; the other one was a private physio practice. I've no idea if there's any pros or cons to NHS vs. private physio doing your assessment.

I did ask on the phone if this would count as my one rearrangement and I wouldn't be able to change the appointment again. He said that no, because we were bringing the appointment forward, I would be able to change the appointment again if needed. I don't understand the logic, but that's what he said.

I'm now in two minds. A more local centre and taxi cost refund is great, but I'm worried about the potential for having to walk a long distance through the building - and what that might do to both me and my claim.

Any thoughts?

(I know I'm posting a lot here. Thanks for reading and advising.)

Ninjahedgehog wrote: I have one last question.

If you appeal your PIP claim, do you keep getting your old level of benefits in the meantime?

E.g. if I get a standard rate of PIP result and start an appeal, while the appeal is going through will my (old) higher rate of DLA continue, as it is doing while the PIP claim process is happening?

Thank you ever so much for all your help today, Gordon, and any others that pitch in in the meantime.